Run Julie Run upstages Legacy Isle

LEGACY ISLE flopped like a soggy fritter whereas stablemate COMMANDANT slaughtered rivals in the Floridians’ return to the races after finishing heads-on for second and third, respectively, behind FUNCAANDUN in last month’s Mouttet Mile.

Backed as the 1-2 favourite at seven furlongs in the card-closing Miracle Man Cup, LEGACY ISLE had his backers combing the 10-horse field for the horse who almost won December’s Mouttet Mile.

Backing out of the pace, LEGACY ISLE was pulled up by Tevin Foster three furlongs out while RUN JULIE RUN, the impressive Chairman’s Plate winner on Mouttet Mike Day, repelled ATLANTIC CONVOY, BARNABY, and PERFECT BREW to sprint clear a furlong and a half out with Dane Dawkins.

Dismissing the boys in the straight, RUN JULIE RUN clocked 1:25.0, a crippling acceleration of 1:12.2 for six furlongs after a moderate 48.0 for the first half-mile. United States-bred BARNABY finished five and three-quarter lengths away for second ahead of stablemate PERFECT BREW and RAINSVILLE.

Howling favourite LEGACY ISLE, whose exercise report was void of a speed gallop, failed to finish the event, confirming suspicions of unsoundness.

Though LEGACY ISLE floundered in the Miracle Man, Rohan Crichton’s Mouttet Mile third-place COMMANDANT notched a commanding victory with newly minted champion jockey Raddesh Roman in the SVREL Fan Appreciation Day Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards, humbling course specialist NEO STAR. Racing out of Anthony Nunes’ barn after being snapped up at November’s Mixed Sale from Paradise at Spring Village, NEO STAR was no match for COMMANDANT, who won by a widening eight lengths.

Dawkins, who enjoyed an early armchair ride astride Gary Subratie’s SENSATIONAL MOVE in the third at five and a half furlongs, joined Shane Ellis and six-time champion jockey Omar Walker in posting two-timers.

Walker, who has been in rejuvenated form at Anthony Nunes’ barn, booted home three-year-old TRIBAL CHIEF and PRINCE AMAAN at four and five-furlong straight, respectively, for the three-time champion trainer.

Ellis, who easily landed the sixth for $350,000-250,000 claimers with DRONE STRIKE, sealed a three-timer for Nunes with SMART TRICK, repelling a rally from TITAN TEMPO with Robert Halledeen to last home by a short head.

Racing continues on Saturday.

Racing results on B3